New books based on Roald Dahl characters announced

BBC Radio 1 DJ Greg James is among the writers who have been commissioned to create new spin-off stories inspired by Roald Dahls most famous characters.

James and his former newsreader Chris Smith have written The Twits Next Door, based on Dahls 1980 novel The Twits.

Smith and James said the opportunity to write a new story based on Dahls characters was "too good to resist".

The announcement follows Netflixs purchase of the rights to Dahls childrens books in 2021.

The streaming giant now owns the Roald Dahl Story Company, giving them ultimate control of what happens to Dahls stories in publishing, as well as TV and film.

The latest move comes as publishers and TV and film companies look to capitalise on existing intellectual property - characters and stories already loved by the public.

Radio 1 breakfast host James and Smith are already well known for their popular childrens book series Kid Normal.

In a joint statement, they said: "To be offered the opportunity to write a story starring the most revolting and hilarious pair of his famous characters was exciting, a little bit frightening and certainly too good to resist.

"Weve had such a great time playing with The Twits."

Their story will see a new family called the Lovelies move in next door to The Twits, prompting the Twits to hatch a plan to rid themselves of their horribly nice new neighbours.

Elsewhere, TV presenter Konnie Huq, The Last Leg comedian Adam Hills and author Adam Kay will contribute to a short story collection, Charlie and the Christmas Factory.

Publisher Puffin and The Roald Dahl Story Company said the new books were intended to complement and bring new readers to Dahls original stories.

They said the new festive short stories would explore "why Matilda is worried about being on the naughty list" and "what happens when, years after the creation of his original marvellous medicine, Georges granddaughter Gigi decides to make her own".

The titular story, meanwhile, will explore how Willy Wonka protege Charlie plans to celebrate Christmas at the chocolate factory.

The stories and authors in the short story collection include:

The collection will be illustrated by artist Rikin Parekh, who said working on the stories had been "an absolute privilege and a lot of fun".

Harriet Murphy, director of publishing at the Roald Dahl Story Company said the contemporary authors would be "using their own voice" rather than looking to imitate Dahl with their stories.

The Twits Next Door will be published in August, Charlie and the Christmas Factory will hit shelves in December.

A new series of picture book versions of Dahls Revolting Rhymes, accompanied by new illustrations by Adam Larkum, will also be released from May.

In recent years, Dahls books have been adapted for the stage and screen, including the recent Charlie and the Chocolate Factory prequel Wonka, starring Timothée Chalamet.

The Roald Dahl Story Company has been developing spin-off games, stage shows and other live experiences from the authors characters and stories.

Born in Wales, Dahl worked as a fighter pilot in World War Two and then as a diplomat, before turning his hand to writing novels, short stories, poems and film scripts.

Throughout the 1960s, 70s and 80s, He became known for best-selling childrens books - many of which were later turned into films.

The writer, who died aged 74 in 1990, has sold 300 million books around the world, printed in 65 languages.

In 2020, Dahls family apologised for anti-Semitic comments made by the author in interviews in 1983 and 1990.